Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-03-02
FLECTiNG UNITED STATES SENA
TORS BY THE PEOPLE.

The resolution that it is the Judgment
of the Senate, that an amendment to the
Constitution providing for the election,
directly by the voters, Of United States
Senators should he submitted to the people
for their action" offered in the United
States Senate by Senator VAN WICK, OF
Nebraska, will grow in favor ~ years go
ON, unless Legislators pay more regard to
the wishes of the people in elecling United
States Senators.
Mr.. VAN WICK, in his speech before
the Senate last Friday, said:
The necessity for this change has been
made strikingly manifest within the last
month in the States of New Jersey, Indiana
and Nebraska In the first two every
scheme and subterfuge has been used To
obtain al advantage by stealth and fraud
that might secure victory, regardless oil
what tine people may desire. And IN the
latter a direct expression Of the people ON
the question of preference, - allowed ny
the constitution and laws of that State,
and then superadded the still more EN-
phatic declaration OF the voters by making
the choice of Uuited States Senator = test
in the election Of members of the LegiSla-
lures, and when the people, rs voters, had
signiGed their choice by clecting maIorl-
ty of the Legislature pledged to that
choice. True they were from both pOlIt'
icIl parties, hut maiOrity-and fully IN
structed. That WAS the Judgment Of the
people OF u great State.
Mr.. VAN WICK could have mentioned
West Virginia ~ another State where the
will OF the people has been defeated. Had
the question of electing q United States
Senator been left to the people last fall
there is scarcely shadow OF \ doubt that
Senator CAMDEN would have been the
choice. As the law now is, the Demo
cratic party alone sent enough men to tn,
Legislature To elect him, lacking eight
Thus By few kickers and soreheads the
peoples choice has been defeated, Just II
Mr.. VAN WICK was defeated in Nebrask;
by few traitors who yielded TO railroad
influence. lie says of his defeat: Thu:
when the voice of those instructed ant
pledged would secure what the people de
sired, enough purchased traitors withhold
their votes to defeat what they knew tn,
people demanded
When the trainers Of the Constitution de
clared that the National Congress should
consist of Senate and House of Represen
tatiyes it WAS thought that THE Senate
was needed to keep down the turbulence
of Democracy. The purpose they had II
view was wise. At times public 0piniOl
undergoes such sudden changes, that
legislation were left entirely to Congress
chosen in . period of great excitemen
much extreme and injurious action Nigh
be taken that the people would have L
repent Of in their sober moments. A con
seryatiye Senate, the members holding
Office for longer period, was expected t
hold such legislation in check.
But the charges of bribery and corrup
ton of Legislatures has become 50 frequen
of late years, and the peoples wishes lav
50 often been disregarded by few sor
heads, that strong sentiment is srowin
for electing Senators by direct vote of tn
people, and unless more regard Is paid L
the public wishes, the people will in til
not distant future make such demand.